India batsman Virender Sehwag is out of the Twenty20 World Cup after failing to recover from a shoulder injury.

The 30-year-old Sehwag was injured while playing in the Indian Premier League for the Delhi Daredevils last month. He missed both India's warm-up games for the Twenty20 World Cup and Saturday's victory over Bangladesh in Group A of the tournament.

"Virender Sehwag has been ruled out of the ongoing ICC World T20 due to a shoulder injury," the Board of Control for Cricket in India said in a statement yesterday. "He will return to India after consulting medical experts in England."

Back-up wicketkeeper

Batsman Dinesh Karthik, who can also act as a back-up wicketkeeper, has been called into the squad as Sehwag's replacement.

Although Sehwag averages just over 20 in Twenty20 cricket, his explosive batting style has the ability to ignite an innings and he can also bowl occasional offspinners.

He was involved in a bizarre incident on the eve of the tournament, when India called a news conference to specifically deny rumours of a rift between Sehwag and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The conference last Thursday was attended by every member of the India squad, but only Dhoni spoke.

"Recent reports in the Indian media of a rift between myself and Sehwag amount to nothing but false and irresponsible media," Dhoni said then. "Our fans and supporters can take confidence from the wonderful unity that continues to exist in this team.

"As we prepare for the T20 World Cup, we are a superbly unified team. The team spirit is as good as it has ever been, with each individual supporting each other, both on and off the field."

Dhoni and the rest of the team immediately walked out and refused to answer any further questions.

India, which plays Ireland at Trent Bridge today, have already qualified for the Super 8 stage after beating Bangladesh in its opening game.

Sehwag